Established in 2017, in the memory of Alfred Gundry, this Award benefits talented young pianists.

The Ann Burridge Award celebrates Ann’s lifelong passion for teaching piano, cello, and flute. Established by her children, the award supports young musicians in Somerset, continuing her legacy of encouragement, friendship, and dedication to nurturing musical growth.

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The Ashford Award is for the most promising flautist of the year. This Award was established in 2013 by the daughter and granddaughter of John Ashford, a talented flautist who had to give up his place at the Royal College of Music for health reasons, but who continued to be passionate about the instrument, playing it throughout the rest of this life.

Applications for this Award should be made via the normal application procedure.

Launched in 2017, this award supports young musicians from Surrey in memory of Cheryl King, a gifted musician and dedicated teacher. Established through the generosity of her family and friends, it celebrates Cheryl’s commitment to making music education accessible to all children.

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Established in 2016 in memory of Chris Isaac, a talented jazz musician and pianist. Chris studied jazz piano at Leeds College of Music and performed widely with his band, The Chris Isaac Quartet. He later had a successful career in the music industry, rising to Vice President, Global Digital Supply Chain at Universal Music Group. This Award supports promising young jazz musicians, especially pianists, keeping Chris’s passion for jazz alive.

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This Award honours Colin Touchin (1949–2022), clarinettist, conductor, composer, and teacher. He founded the Oxford University Wind Orchestra, led many ensembles, and promoted music education in the UK and Hong Kong. A dedicated mentor and festival adjudicator, Colin inspired musicians worldwide.

The Award supports young musicians with leadership potential, continuing Colin’s legacy of nurturing talent.

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The Christopher Yates Award honours Christopher, a flautist, orchestral manager, and esteemed music educator whose career was dedicated to nurturing young talent. Supported by The Finderman Charitable Trust, the award assists promising musicians from Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire.

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The Dave Weisser Memorial Award supports young jazz musicians in the North East. Dave was a celebrated jazz singer and trumpeter who ran the influential Take It To The Bridge jam sessions, nurturing many young players. Born in the USA, he settled in the North East, performing widely and passionately supporting young talent, including his daughter and grandson. Dave passed away in 2023, and this Award continues his legacy of music and mentorship.

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The David Bateman Award was created in memory of David, an accomplished violinist, orchestral musician, and inspiring teacher, to support young string players in developing their skills. His lifelong passion for music and dedication to his pupils continue through this fund.

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The David Kaye Award honours David’s lifelong passion for music and his generous support of young musicians. The award continues his legacy of nurturing emerging talent and fostering musical growth.

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Diana Toeman OBE, a Young Sounds Angel, lives in London and instituted the Richard Toeman Award, in memory of her late and much-loved husband.

This Award, in her name, is jointly funded by her family and Young Sounds, to honour all the community work that Diana carries out.

The Dr Linda Beeley Awards support young classical musicians. Dr Beeley credits her childhood music education, including free lessons, for her lifelong love of music. After retiring from medicine, she returned to piano playing and hopes to help others enjoy the same opportunities that shaped her musical journey.

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East Devon Music is a charity which has developed from the Honiton Festival, founded over thirty years ago to bring performances of classical music to local audiences. As part of our work we now wish to help foster musical skills and talent amongst young people in East Devon, in partnership with Young Sounds UK. The Award is to assist those with appropriate abilities towards achieving their full potential in their chosen musical specialism.

The Edith Hemingway Award is for the best young musician from the North West of England every year.

Established in 2007 in memory of Edith Hemingway (1923-2006), a talented and enthusiastic singer from Burnley, Lancashire, the Award is endowed by her granddaughter Ria Hopkinson (an amateur pianist and violinist who benefited from similar funding as a student of the Junior School at the Royal Northern College of Music) and her aunt Mal Dolan.

The Graucob Awards, supported by The Finderman Charitable Trust, honour Sylvia Graucob MBE’s dedication to the arts and young people. The awards assist full-time young musicians living in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire, continuing Sylvia’s generous legacy.

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The Helen Sibthorpe Award 
is supported by the Promenaders’ Musical Charities in memory of Helen Sibthorpe, a former Trustee of the organisation.

These Awards were launched in 2016 and are funded by Young Sounds Guardian Angels Stephanie and Marek Kulesza. They have endowed this Award for the best young musicians in Scotland and for Young Sounds projects in Scotland in honour of Stephanie’s Scottish parentage and especially her father’s family from whom she inherited her deep love of music.

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The Joan Scrutton Music Trust Award supports exceptional string players through our Thrive programme.

Young Sounds UK and The Joan Scrutton Music Trust have joined forces. With the combined organisation adopting the Young Sounds name, while the legacy of The Joan Scrutton Trust lives on through these Awards.

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Launched in 2017 and supported by their children Paul Meyer and Rachel Moore, this award honours the memory of Klaus and Celia Meyer, Jewish refugees who arrived in the UK in 1938. The award reflects their rich cultural legacy and enduring love for music and the arts.

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The Dr. Linda Patterson Award supports young musicians in pursuing their musical aspirations, inspired by Linda’s own journey from a local scholarship recipient to lifelong pianist and advocate. The bursary reflects her belief in the transformative power of music education.

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The Lucy Gostwick Award, established by her father, supports young pianists in developing their classical music skills. It honours Lucy’s passionate commitment to music and her enduring legacy, nurturing talent.

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The Matthew Rye Memorial Fund honours Matthew, a gifted composer, editor, and music writer, whose passion for championing underrepresented music was matched by his encouragement of others. The fund supports young composers in pursuing their ambitions and developing their creative voices.

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The Monica and Quintin Des Clayes Awards, established by their children, honour Quintin’s lifelong dedication as a flautist, teacher, and concert organiser, and Monica’s support for education. The awards annually support 25 promising young musicians across the UK, reflecting their belief that music should be accessible to all.

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Launched in 2020, The Mike Beament Awards celebrate Mike’s love of creative, experimental music and his passion for mentoring musicians who push boundaries. These awards support young talents committed to exploring innovative musical paths.

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Created in 2022 in memory of Peta Martin (1937–2021), a lifelong music lover and supporter of Young Sounds UK. Peta often attended our concerts featuring performances from young musicians supported by our Thrive programme. The Award continues Peta’s legacy of bringing joy through music.

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Established in 2014, The Richard Toeman Award honours Richard’s influential career in music publishing and his talents as a pianist and composer. The award supports young musicians, reflecting his lifelong dedication to the musical arts.

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Established in 2017, this award honours Rose Walker, a gifted woodwind player and singer from London. Jointly funded by her family and friend Ayanna Witter-Johnson, it supports young woodwind musicians in London, continuing Rose’s legacy of passion and talent.

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Established in 2015 in memory of Simon, this award supports young violinists and violists from the West Midlands. Despite chronic illness, Simon’s passion for music and community lives on through this fund, encouraging local young musicians to thrive and perform.

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The Sybil Brown Award, established by her family, supports talented young pianists. It honours Sybil’s determination and passion for music, celebrating her journey from self-funded beginnings to accomplished musician and inspiring others to never give up on their dreams.

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The Thomas Raymond Reesby Award honours Ray, a gifted New Zealand baritone whose early career showed great promise. Established by his daughter, it supports young singers facing financial barriers, enabling them to pursue vital study and performance opportunities.

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Each year, in partnership with Milapfest, Young Sounds presents up to six fellowship Awards to young musicians studying Indian Music.

Established in 2017, The Viola Bent Award supports promising young string and piano players, especially in Berkshire. Inspired by Viola’s lifelong love of classical music, the award helps dedicated young musicians pursue their ambitions.

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First made in 2016, with support from the John Lewis Partnership, a number of Awards are granted to applicants demonstrating the greatest level of innovation in their music making.

You can read more about our partnership with the John Lewis Partnership here.